Impact fuse



S. G.- MALBY.

IMPACT FUSE.

APPL |cAT|oN mso Nov. 1s, lala.

L4M@ 12," mentari July 25 922.

2 SHEETS-S I.

` n. .E IIIII ulmlunn sereni ortica.

SETE Gr. MALBY, OFT-IE UNITED STATES ARMY, ASSIGNOR- TO SECRETARY OF WAROF THE UNTED STATES OF AMERICA, TRUSTEE.

IMPACT FUSE.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patentedlluly 25, 1922.

(FILED UNDER TI-IE ACT 0F MARCH 3, 1883,'22 STAT. L., 625.)

1o all w 710m may] concern:

Be it known that l, Sn'rrr G. Manni', captain Ordnance Department.yUnited States Army, a citizen of the United States, stationed atllashington, District of Columbia,-

have invented an improvement in Impact Fuses, of which the following isa specification.

The invention described herein may be used by the Government, or any ofits officers or employees in prosecution of work for the Government, orby any other person in the United States, without payment of any royaltythereon.

This invention relatesv to certain improvements in impact fuses for project-iles and has for one of its objects the construction of a fusewherein the firing pin and priminOfcap or other igniter are normally outof alinement and held in such relative position as to require the shockof the set haelt or inertia incident to the. explosion of tiring the gunto bring the parts into alinement and operative relation` with eachother.

Another object of the invention is the pro'- vision of a` locking orholding means to maintain the tiring pin in operative. position as soonas it has been forced thereto by 'the movement of the projectile.

A. further object is to provide a fuse in which theparts, normally inunarmed relation7 are moved to armed relation without the utilization ofcentrifugal force.

Another obj ect of the invention is the pro'- vision of a fuse that issecure against accidental discharge,` simple in construction, positiveand sensitive in action, 'and that is also safe during the. usualhandling incident to transportation and storage of explosives.

llVith these and other objects in view, which will become apparent asthe description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction,combina-tion and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand claimed. and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which likereference characters indicate similar parts throughout the severalgures. f

ln the accompanying drawings,.forming a part of this specification:

Fig. 1 is a sectionalelevation taken on the longitudinal axis of thefuse showing. the parts in normal unarmed or safe position;

Fig. 2 is a partial similar section showing the vtiring pin and ignitercap in armed relation;

Fig. 3 is a section on line IIL-III of Fig. 1 looking -in the'directionof the arrows;

. Fig. 4 is an end view of the firing pin block;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the percussion pellet;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the shape of the deformable pin asassumed when the device is in armed position.

F ig. 7 is al plan view of the fuse after the safety screw has'beenremo-ved;

Fig. 8 is a sectional eleva-tion of a part of a. fuse showing a modifiedconstruction utilizing the invention;

Fig, 9 is a plan-view of thismodified con#v struction; and

Fig. 10 is a detail of the same showing the' closing cap.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, thefuseconsists of a hollow, cylindrical stock or bo'dy 1, ex-

ternally threaded as at 2, for securement tol the casing` ofy a` shellor 'other rpioje ':.tile. A. detonator arrangement, `indicated generallyby the numeral7 of anydesired form', is' secured to the inner end of thestock.` longitudinal opening ofthe stock 1 houses the firing mechanismconsisting of-iiring pin block 4 and percussion pellet 5.- Block 4 isXed and located in the outer endV of the body. The iringpin 6 is ofangular shape,

in the preferredA embodiment shownbeing- T shaped, and is pivoted to thepin or rod 7, secured to the block and swings in a transverse slot 8therein.` 'The percussion' pellet 5 slides in the stock and; carriesthe' primer caip `9 centrally at its inner end; The

forward end of the pellet is transversely slottedV as at 10, formingfork,` so as to permit the inner end of the tiring pin 6 to swing intoand out of alinement with the cap 9.

a shoulder 11 for one end of the light creep spring 12, surrounding .thestemgof the tiring f pin, and theother end of which'rests against theblock 4.

TheV

A circumferential groove Von'the` extended forward end ofthepelletpr'o'vides deformable pia-l Qf aluminum' Qrebher 1m Tlllnlm-m-Cil soft metal. This pin has its ends secured in the block t, as shownin Fig. land extends across the slot 8 and through the pin 6 at theforward end thereof, transversely opposite to the pivot 7.

@ne edge of the stem or shank ofthe T shaped firing pin 6 is providedwith a V shaped cam surface shownat le. Normally, the notch of the Jrests on a pin 15 carried by the pellet 5, near its forward end andextending across the slot thereof. The purpose of this arrangement willbe hereinfter eX- plained.

Another transverse pin 16 is secured to the firing pin at the junctionof the head and stem, and coacts with holes 17 in the block 4, whichholes are of slightly larger diameter than the pin 16 to limit themovement of the firing pin on its pivot.

The outer end of the stock or body is closed by a cap piece 18, screwthreaded into the same. The safety pin 19 screwed through the closingcap, secures the firing pin in safety position, by abutting the head ofthe same at about the point of the deformable pin 13. The cap is furtherprovided with a resilientmetal cover 20, pivoted to the screw 21, sothat when the safety pin 19 is removed, the cover can be swung over thehole in the cap to prevent the entrance of dirt and other foreigndeleterious matter. (See Fig. 7.)

The operation isas follows: The fuse being in normal position as shownin Fig. 1, is unarmed and safe as the point of the firing pin 6 can notunder any circumstances, puncture the cap 9, being out of alinementtherewith. The safety pin 19 is removed after breaking` the sealing wire22 and the cover 2O is turned to close the hole left in the cap 18.

On firing the projectile provided with the fuse, the shock of set back.or inertia causes the percussion pellet 5 to slide bachward toward thedetonator 3 against the lead washer or pellet stop 23. In movingbackward the pin 15, bearing against the V shaped cam surface of the pin6, causes the tiring pin to swing on its pivot, deforming the soft metalpin 13, so that the latter assumes a stirrup shape as shown in Fig. G.The block et, it will be noticed in Fig. 4l, is cut away at each side ofslot 8, for the purpose of permitting the bending of the pin 1S.

The shape of the surface let and the position of the pin 15 is such thatwhen the` pellet has moved clear back, the point of the firing pin willbe just off the longitudinal axis of the fuse, and in line with the cap9, so that on impact of the projectile the pellet will be hurled forwardagainst the force of the spring 12, as shown in rdotted lines of Fig. 2,and the firing pin puncturing the Acap 9 will ignite the same, and causethe ring of the charge of the detonator.

By making the pin 13 merely deformable and not of so small a diameter asto shear when the firing pin is forced into armed position, a lockingarrangement is obtained to prevent dislodgment of the pin and somaintain the fuse armed when once the projectile has been fired.

In the modification disclosed in Figs. 8, 9 and l0, the pellet 5 isprovided with an undercut portion at the inner end of slot 10 so that inthe normal position of the parts, the point of the firing pin 6 will lietherein. The closing cap and ring pin block are formed as a singleintegral member as shown in Fig. 10, and this member is sc.- cured inposition by spinning over the adjacent circumferential edge of the fusebody, as at 30. In this form the fuse is secured in safe condition bymeans of a split safety pin 19', which extends clear through alinedopenings in the fuse body 1, closing cap 18 and firing pin 6. The holein the cap 18 is shown in Fig. V10 at 31, and in that view there isclearly illustrated the shoulder 32, which prevents any dirt or mud,which may happen to be forced through the hole when the safety pin isremoved, from reaching the interior of the fuse and preventing actuationof the same.

After removal of the safety pin i9,the operation of this form of theinvention is the same as that previously described.

The operation of a fuse embodying the invention being entirelyindependentof the action of centrifugal force, due to the rotation ofthe 'shell on its axis, fuses made in accordance with it can be used inprojectiles fired from mortars or other devices, not provided withriiiing, the only requirement loeing that there be an initial shock offiring.

Though the form of fuses illustrated are of that class known as pointfuses, it will be obvious that the invention is equally applicable tobase fuses as well. j

VVhat claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A fuse for projectiles, having in combination a movable membercarrying a primer cap, a pivoted firing pin normally out of alinementwith the cap, and means carried by the movable member and cooperatingwith the firing pin on the forward movement of the projectile andindependent of the rotation thereof, to bring the tiring pin and capinto operative relation.

2. A fuse for projectiles comprising a movable percussion pelletcarrying a primer, a pivotally mounted firing pin normally held with itspoint out of alinement with the primer, and means carried by the pelletand cooperating with the ring pin on the forward movement of theprojectile and independent of the rotation thereof, for shifting the pininto alinement with the primer.

3. A fuse for projectiles, comprising a i-Mr *ltw-Wlhollow stock, afixed firing pin block and a movable percussion pellet with a primer capin the stock, ay firing pin pivoted to the block normally held out ofalinementwith the cap, and means carried by the pellet and cooperatingwith the firing pin on the forward movement of the projectile andindependent of its rotation, to move the firing pin into operativerelation with the cap.

4. A fuse for projectiles, comprising,r a hollow stock, firing mechanismconsisting' of two members one fixed and the other movable in the stock,an igniter cap in the movable member, a firing pin pivoted to the fixedmember and normally out of alinement with the cap, and means carried bythe movable .member and cooperating` with the firing pin on the forwardmovement of the projectile and independent of its rotation, to move the'firing pin into operative relation with the cap.

A firing mechanism for projectile fuses, comprising fixed and movablemembers, an igniter cap in the movable member, a firing pin pivoted tothe fined member and normally outof alinement with the cap, and meanscarried by the movable member and cooperating with thefiring pin on theforward movement of the fuse and independent of its rotation.l to movethe firing pin into operative relation with the cap.

G. A'fuse for projectiles, havingin combination a longitudinally movablemember carrying` a primer cap, a pivoted firing` pin normally out ofalinement with the cap, and means carried by the movable member andcooperatingwith the firing pin on the forward movement of the projectileand independent of the rotation thereof` to bring the firing pin and capinto operative relation.

7. A fuse for projectiles comprising a longitudinally movable percussionpellet carryingv a primer, a pivotally mounted firing pin normally heldwith its point out of alinement with the primer, and means carried bythe pellet and cooperating' with the firing pin on the forward movementof the projectile and independent of the rotation thereof, for shifting'the pin into alinement with the primer.

8. A fuse for projectiles, comprising,` a hollow stock'. a fixed firing`pin 'block and a longitudinally movable percussion pellet with a primercap in the stock, a. firing pin pivoted to the block normally held outof alinement with the cap, and means carried by the pellet andcooperating with the firing pin on the forward movement of theprojectile and independent of its rotation, to move the firing pin intooperative relation with the cap.

9. A fuse for projectiles, comprising a hollow stock, firing mechanismconsisting of two members one fixed and the other longitudinally movablein the stock, an igniter cap in the movable member, a firing pin pivotedto the Xed member-and normally out v of alinement with the cap, andmeans carried by the movable member and cooperating with the firing` pinAon the forward movement of the projectile and independent of itsrotation, to move the firing vpin into operative relation with the cap.

10. A firing vmechanism rfor projectile fuses, comprising,` fixed andlongitudinally movable members, an ignitercap in the movable member, afiring pin pivoted to the fixed member and normally out of alinementwith the cap, and means carried Xby the m'ovable member and cooper-atingwith the firing,` pin on the forward movement of the fuse andiindependent of its rotation, to move the firing pin into operativerelation with the cap.4

11. A fuse for projectiles comprising a pivoted firing pin with a camsurface on the shank thereof, a movable member carrying a primer cap andmeans on the member cooperating with the cam surface of the firing pinto arm the fuse o-n vthe forward movement of the lprojectile independentof its rotation.

12. A fusev for projectiles, .comprising fixed and movable members, aprimer cap carried,

by the movable member in the axis of the fuse, a ring pin pivoted to thefixed member normally out of alinement with the cap and movabletransversely of the fuse axis, and means carried by the movable memberand cooperating with the firing pin on the forward movement of theprojectile and independent of its rotation to shift the firing `pin intooperative relation with the cap.

13. A fuse for projectiles having in combination a movable membercarrying a primer cap, a pivoted firing pin normally out of alinementwith the cap, and means carried by the movable member and cooperatingwith the firing pin on the forward movement of the projectile andindependent of the rotation thereof, to bring` the firing pin and capinto operative relation and maintain the fuse in armed position.

14. In a fuse for projectiles, firing mechanism comprising fixed andmovable members, a primer cap in the movable member, afirinbo` pinpivoted to the liXed member and normally out of alinement with the cap,and a cam surface on one of the members cooperating with the pin on theother member to arm the fuse by shifting the firing pin into alignmentwith the cap, on the forward movement of the projectile independent ofits rotation.

15. A fuse for projectiles comprising a pivoted firing pin with a camsurface on the shank thereof, a movable member carrying a primer cap apin on the member cooperating with the cam surface of the firing pin toarm the fuse on the forward movement of the projectile independent ofits rotation, and means to maintain the fuse in safe condition duringtransportation and storage.

16. fuse for projectiles having in combination a movable member carryinga primer cap, a pivoted firing pin normally out of alinement With thecap, means carried by the movable member and cooperating with the firingpin on the forward movement of the projectile and independent oftherotation thereof to bring the iiring pin and cap into operativerelation and retain the fuse `in armed position, and means to maintainthe fuse in safe condition during transportation and storage.

17. In a fuse for projectiles, firing mecha nism comprising,` lined andmovable members, a primer cap in the movable member, a firing pinpivoted to the fixed member and normally out of alinement with the cap,a cam surface on one of the members cooperating with the pin on theother to arm the fuse by shifting the firing pin into alinement With thecap on the forward movement of the projectile independent of itsrotation, means to maintain the fuse in safe condition duringtransportation and storage, and means to prevent the entrance ofdeleterious matter into the body of the fuse when the safety means isremoved.

18. A fuse for projectiles, including a movable percussion pelletcarrying a primer and a pivotally mounted firing pin normally held withits pin out of alinement with the primer, the pellet and pin cooperatingupon movement of the pellet in one direction to bring the iring pin andprimer into operative relation.

19. A fuse for projectiles, including a movable percussion pelletcarrying a primer and a pivotally mounted firing pin normally held withitsY pin out of alinement Withrthe primer, the pellet and pincooperating upon rectilinear movement of the pellet in one direction toshift the pin into alinement With the primer.

20. A fuse for projectiles, including a movable percussion pellet,carrying a primer, a pivotally mounted firing pin normally held with itspin out of alinement with the primer, the pellet and pin cooperatingupon movement of the pellet in one direction to shift the pin intoalinement With the primer and means for locking the pin in its shiftedposition.

SETH G. MALBY.

